Concepts show limitless ideas > INNOVATION
VisionaryVV vehicles unveil what your ride may soon look like and be able to do
Many people who visit an auto show are actively shopping for cars. But one of the more endearing things about wandering a show floor is seeing concept cars that show off pie- in- the- sky ideas for what the future of the automobile might hold.
Some highlight developments in design, while ww others shine a spotlight on the new technologies that are shaping the industry. Whether WW you’re an enthusiast who just wants to daydream along or you’re looking a few years down the road to see what your next car might be, you’ll want to check out these visionary vehicles that are on display at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as part of the Canadian International AutoShow ( CIAS).
Genesis Essentia
First shown at last year’s New York International Auto Show, Essentia is the first attempt by Hyundai’s luxury division to design a fully battery electric vehicle.
And it has pulled out all the stops: it features a carbon- fibre monocoque, a multi- motor electric powertrain, and a custom- tailored interior.
Inspired by traditional Gran Turismo proportions of a long hood and swept- back cabin, this concept sits low to the ground, a stance aided by its electric powertrain.
Take a closer look at the exposed pushrod suspension, quad- layout headlamps and tail lights, butterfly doors and the parabolic line used to provide visual structure in the side profile.
Inside, a mixed- materials approach influenced by high fashion includes cognac leather front seats with quilting, a blue leather centre console and suede rear seats, and polished aluminum accents layered among carbon fibre.
This is a concept that may yet become reality. aa A highly limited production run is said to be in the works within the next two to three years.
Infiniti QX Inspiration Infiniti’s future vision for an SUV, first shown at the Detroit auto show in January and making its national debut at CIAS, is a fully electric, all-wheel drive crossover that draws on the Japanese spatial concept of “ma,” the idea that open spaces between lines create tension and build anticipation.
Its steering wheel houses a widescreen rectangular display, one of many screens found throughout the front of the cabin, while the second row is intended to be tranquil and devoid of technology, making use of natural materials such as suede and marble. When pulled together, the interior is influenced by the Japanese approach to hospitality known as omotenashi, by taking advantage of the room created by a fully electric platform to create a “spacious, lounge-like” environment. Lexus LF-1 Limitless LF-1 Limitless previews a new flagship SUV for Toyota’s premium Lexus brand and is making its Canadian debut after first appearing at the Detroit auto show in 2018. Its shape is meant to evoke molten metal being shaped into a fine Japanese sword. The design is centred around a rear-wheel-drive platform that’s able to accommodate battery electric, plug-in hybrid, gas-powered, or hydrogen fuel cell power units.
New technologies are highlighted such as digital side mirrors, 4D navigation — meaning that it integrates time needs such as rest stops into arrival estimates — and a chauffeur mode for hands-free driving. Rumour has it that this might be introduced as a production model within the next couple of years. Toyota Fine-Comfort Ride Toyota first showed off this concept for a hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show in late 2017, and it’s being shown in Canada for the first time here in Toronto. On top of highlighting the low-carbon possibilities available with hydrogen fuel-cell technology, including the convenience of being able to recharge the car within roughly three minutes, the Toyota FCR concept looks at how these powertrains allow for unique and flexible interiors with adjustable seat layouts for up to six occupants and the extensive use of large, interactive touchscreens. Volkswagen I.D. Crozz Here’s an example of a concept that’s made the rounds: first as a prototype in Shanghai in 2017, then at the Frankfurt auto show in Germany, later that same year in Los Angeles, and now in Toronto. When a car like this does that much touring, it’s a good bet that a production version can be expected in the not-too-distant future, and staff is reportedly being added to the company’s facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., to prepare for it.
I.D. Crozz’s 83-kWh lithiumion battery pack delivers an expected range of just over 480 km and powers a pair of electric motors, one on each axle — the front motor produces 101 hp and the rear 201 hp — to create integrated all-wheel drive. Its modular electric platform will form the basis of future Volkswagen-branded EVs, of which the brand has committed to sell 15 globally by 2025.